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Sunday, August 24, 1997

Cowboys sharp in 34-10 win over Oilers

By Jean-Jacques Taylor / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS - Troy Aikman is the Cowboys' harshest critic when it comes to their offense. Even he liked Friday night's performance at Texas Stadium.

The Cowboys' first-team offense turned in a sharp performance as the Cowboys routed winless Tennessee, 34-10, before an announced crowd of 61,001.

The victory should give the Cowboys the momentum they sought heading into the next Sunday's season opener against Pittsburgh.

"Obviously we feel good about the way we went out and moved the football and made plays," Aikman said. "We're ready to play. Now, it's for real, and we're going to find out how good we are in a little while."

Dallas (2-2) won its second consecutive game with its most complete offensive performance of the pre-season. In Aikman's three possessions, the Cowboys gained 112 yards and scored 10 points against the Oilers (0-4), who failed to win a pre-season game for the first time since 1983.

In what likely will be a trend this season, the Cowboys used the pass to set up the run.

Aikman completed passes of 24 and 18 yards to Michael Irvin on the Cowboys' first two plays.

Emmitt Smith lost a yard on his first carry. Then he turned in a run that was vintage Smith.

He burst through a hole on the left side, made a 180-degree spin behind a block from Daryl Johnston before lowering his head and powering through Anthony Dorsett for three yards.

Smith gained 12 yards on the play.

More important, he flashed the form that has made him 12th in NFL history in rushing after only seven seasons. Smith, who gained 1,204 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in 1996, spent most of last season hobbled by two sprained ankles and a sprained knee.

He had surgery in January to remove several bone chips from his ankle and has proclaimed himself healthy and ripe for a big season.

Another completion to Irvin and two offside penalties against Tennessee put the ball at the Oilers' four. Smith ran untouched over left guard for a touchdown as the Cowboys took a 7-0 lead.

"Tonight we showed Emmitt, Michael and Troy are ready to play," Coach Barry Switzer said. "You couldn't ask for more from their performances."

Clay Shiver started at center, and John Flannery started at left guard in place of Nate Newton, who has been hampered by a strained tendon in his right foot.

It was important for the Cowboys to have success running on the left side because there is a chance Newton's foot ailment will not allow him to play the entire game against Pittsburgh. If he can't go, Flannery will replace him.

Switzer said he expected Shiver to start at center against Pittsburgh, although offensive line coach Hudson Houck said the final decision had not been made.

"We're going to look at the film," Houck said, "but if the head coach says that, then it's a good indication of where we're going to go."

On the Cowboys' second possession, Aikman connected with first-round pick David LaFleur on a 29-yard completion, but he fumbled, and Tennessee took over the Dallas 38.

As LaFleur jogged off the field, Irvin and right tackle Erik Williams patted him on the back. Aikman tapped him on the shoulder pads and provided a few words of encouragement.

"I think he's going to be a big-time player for us," Aikman said. "He has developed more confidence in the last few weeks, and it has been fun to watch him grow."

Receiver Anthony Miller, hobbled by a bone bruise that occurred when he hyper-extended his knee in training camp, made his pre-season debut.

He made an immediate impact on the Cowboys' offense.

On third-and-10, Aikman pump-faked then threw deep to Miller, who had beaten Dorsett by several yards.

Dorsett tackled Miller, and the Cowboys gained 44 yards on the ensuing pass interference penalty, giving Dallas a first down at the Tennessee 36. Miller also caught a 15-yard pass on the drive, and Aikman overthrew him once.

"Anthony Miller is not going to touch the ball as much as Michael (Irvin)," said Switzer, "but when he does catch it, it's going to be for big numbers."

The drive stalled at the Tennessee six, and Richie Cunningham kicked a 23-yard field goal as the Cowboys took a 10-3 lead.

Cunningham solidified his status as the Cowboys' kicker when he drilled a 51-yard field goal in the third quarter. A 53-yard attempt in the fourth-quarter hit the cross bar.

Cunningham made four of seven field goal attempts in pre-season.

"These guys have been working since July 19th, and now it's time to play," Switzer said. "We've got two extra days to prepare, and we're going to take advantage of it. We should be ready to go into Pittsburgh."

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

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